Walmart shrinks blueprint for controversial supercenter

Walmart's controversial plan to expand its Poway store into a supercenter has become a bit smaller.

According to revised plans submitted to City Hall last week, the supercenter would be about 9 percent smaller than originally planned.

The store on Community Road now occupies 142,937 square feet. Initial plans called for it to be expanded to 197,000 square feet, but now it's 179,933 square feet.

The reduction would make the store about the same size as most Walmart supercenters in the country. The huge retail chain still intends to offer a full line of groceries. The reduction in space would affect other merchandise areas.

The smaller supercenter is unlikely to appease opponents to the plans who worry about the effects that a 24-hour-a-day store will have on the city. The potential for traffic it will generate, loss of jobs at nearby grocery stores and a higher crime rate are a few of the concerns.

A comprehensive draft environmental impact report is being prepared by a private firm selected by the city and being paid for by Walmart. The amended plans could delay the release of the report by a month or so, said Bob Manis, Poway's director of development services.

“The reduction in scope won't have a big impact on something of that size,” he said.

The report is expected to be completed sometime early next year, and a crucial vote by the City Council whether to allow the supercenter is expected to follow, probably in the summer.

The revised plans show that the store will not be so close to residences along Hilleary Place and that trees have been added between the store and the homes and apartments, Manis said.